Employees Rally to Donate System for Southern California Wounded Warrior

 July 17, 2014 (El Cajon) – American Solar Direct Inc. (ASD) today donated a complete solar energy system at the home of Sgt. Odin Ayala, a wounded veteran in Southern California who touched the hearts of ASD employees.

Source: El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club

July 8, 2014 (Descanso)--Lions Camp Jack was the dream of its founder, PDG Jack Wyatt, a member of the San Diego Host Lion’s Club. This year’s camping experience starts on July 20 with a traditional barbeque hosted by the El Cajon Valley Host Lions club.

By Mimi Pollack

June 28, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - How can one have a healthier and more meaningful lifestyle? The psychologist Dr. Michael Mantell likes to use acronyms when conveying his healing messages as he believes they are a helpful way for people to remember them. 

For him, the acronym PERMA is an important message as it stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Although coined by Marty Seligman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, it is a way of life for Dr. Michael Mantell and his wife Paula, who live in El Cajon and share an office in La Mesa near Grossmont Center. 

As Mantell says, “It is important in life to create positive emotion in every situation and be engaged or in the flow of whatever you are doing. Relationships are also valuable as is finding meaning in every moment and doing the best you can to accomplish and reach your goals.”

June 21, 2014 (Alpine) -- Alpine Fire Department held a ceremony on June 17^th to honor residents who saved the life of Scott Holland. Holland was working at a construction project on Kevin Court in Alpine on October 9, 2013 when he suddenly collapsed from a severe cardiac event.

June 13, 2013 (Lakeside) – On June 14 from 4-7 p.m. the Bucking Delorian restaurant in Lakeside will host a fundraiser for the Menegos family.  Douglas Menegos was killed in a tragic car accident last week, after he was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver on Highway 67. He left behind his wife, Lisa, and two children, Kara and Jake.

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2014 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Officers Association (ECPOA) has pitched in to try and lift the spirits of an immigrant teen who suffered life-threatening  injuries trying to save his mother’s life. 

The boy, 15, nicknamed “Buddy”, moved to  El Cajon 15 months ago with his mother and adult brother, after his father was kidnapped in Iraq.  His father has not been seen or heard from since, and is presumed dead, said Travis Howard, vice president of the ECPOA.

But now, Buddy is without both parents--and his brother.

May 29, 2014 (Rolando)--Sophia Pruden, a 13 year old Rolando resident, hosted the 7th annual Cookies for a Cure fundraiser last Sunday, May 25, in loving memory of her aunt, Amy Pruden, who passed due to Leukemia in 2007.

By Peggy Buffo

May 22, 2014 (El Cajon)—ACES, the El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services Fooundation,  is holding “Barkitecture 2014”, an animal house auction on  June 1st at O’s American Kitchen, Parkway Plaza from 5 to 7 p.m. The Aces Foundation is a  501c3 formed to assist the El Cajon Animal Shelter.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 17, 2014 (La Mesa) – A Kaiser Hospital nurse who rescued a baby and helped save the driver of a burning car in La Mesa has been honored for her actions at the Burn Institute’s Spirit of Courage Awards ceremony held on May 15^th.

By Miriam Raftery

May 16, 2014 (Campo)—Jerry Weber lost everything in a fire that destroyed his trailer and all his belongings on May 13 in Campo. He has no fire insurance, relies on his Social Security income, and has both diabetes and a heart condition, according to Maria Amaya.

“He’s been my customer for many years,” said Amaya, who is accepting donated items for Weber at Angelous Barber Shop and Beauty Salon in Campo.  The greatest need, however, is a trailer for him to live in.

Weber is presently living in his car despite 100 degree temperatures, determined to remain on his property, Amaya said. He has no water on site, nor electrictiy.

In addition, a fundraiser to benefit Weber will be held on Monday, May 26 at the Bucking DeLorian restaurant in Lakeside. The restaurant will donate 15% of proceeds and is also encouraging the public to bring donations of food, clothing, household goods, toiletries and funds. For details on how you can help, click "read more" and scroll down.

By Janis Russell

May 3, 2014 (Alpine)- Last Saturday, April 27, a crowd came out to support Dawn August, her husband and their sons, Daniel and Nathan, at the second annual Angela August ‘Fun-raiser’ (For the Love of Angela) at Alpine Town Hall. This fundraising event for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers was held to honor the memory of 25 year old Angela August, who was killed by a drunk driver on June 11, 2012--just five days before she was going to walk and graduate summa cum laude with her graduating class at UC San Diego.

April 26, 2015 (Spring Valley)--In honor of International Rotarians at Work Day, members of the La Mesa Sunrise Rotary broke ground Saturday, April 26^th, on a new fruit orchard for the residents of Noah Homes, a nonprofit in Spring Valley celebrating 30 years of residential care, community advocacy and collaborative services for adults with developmental disabilities.

- Golfers join Lakeside Firefighters to raise money to fund afterschool programs for East County youth -

April 15, 2014 (Lakeside)--On Tuesday, May 6, the Lakeside Firefighter’s Association will host the First Annual Lakeside Firefighters Golf Tournament at Cottonwood Golf Course benefitting Stoney’s Kids, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that funds programs that help East County children develop skills, self-esteem and confidence.

Photo, left:  Guests at Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians table at the Children's Ball

By Miriam Raftery

April 2004 (San Diego)--More than 400 people from throughout San Diego and East County attended the 48th annual Children’s Ball.  Held at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego, this elegant gathering benefitted the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County. 

This year, the event honored Mary Alice and Ron Brady (photo, right), founders of the Brady Companies which recently donated $3 million to the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County. A new  Brady Family Clubhouse on the campus of La Mesa Middle School will be named in their honor.  The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County serve over 3,000 children every year.

By Miriam Raftery

March 31, 2014 (Ramona)--If you have a tuxedo or formal gown hanging in your closet that you no longer need, Ramona High School is asking that you donate these items to help students who can’t otherwise afford to attend their prom on May 3rd.